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Staff Embedded Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Staff Embedded Application Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$149K - $196K/yr

Your Impact As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you will lead critical software engineering initiatives and set the strategic technical direction across multiple embedded product lines, including ...

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$175K - $210K/yr

We are hiring a talented software engineer to help us build the next generation of photonic AI ... Debug and troubleshoot embedded systems using tools such as GDB, JTAG, and logic analyzers.

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Staff Embedded Software Engineer information

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$70K

$153.4K

$174K

How much do staff embedded software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff embedded software engineer in the United States is $153,383.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $131,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Staff Embedded Software Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during product development?

As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you will regularly work alongside hardware engineers, firmware developers, quality assurance testers, and product managers to ensure seamless integration of software and hardware components. This collaboration often involves participating in design reviews, troubleshooting system-level issues, and aligning software development with hardware constraints and product requirements. Strong communication skills are essential for bridging technical gaps and ensuring project timelines are met. You'll also mentor junior engineers and contribute to architectural decisions, making cross-functional teamwork a key part of the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you need expertise in embedded systems programming (C/C++), a strong grasp of hardware-software integration, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS), version control systems (like Git), and debugging tools is typically required, along with experience in industry standards and certifications such as ISO 26262 or MISRA. Excellent problem-solving skills, effective communication, and leadership abilities help you collaborate across teams and mentor junior engineers. These skills ensure the delivery of reliable, efficient embedded solutions and drive innovation in complex product environments.

What is the difference between Staff Embedded Software Engineer vs Embedded Software Engineer?

AspectStaff Embedded Software EngineerEmbedded Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; experience in embedded systemsBachelor's degree in similar fields; entry to mid-level experience in embedded systems
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and testing embedded software for complex systems in industries like automotive, aerospace, or consumer electronicsDeveloping embedded software for various devices, often in manufacturing or product development settings
Industry UsageCommonly used in large tech, automotive, aerospace, and industrial companiesWidely used across startups, mid-sized, and large companies in electronics and device manufacturing

The main difference between a Staff Embedded Software Engineer and an Embedded Software Engineer lies in experience level, scope of responsibilities, and project complexity. Staff engineers typically lead projects, mentor teams, and handle more complex systems, while embedded software engineers focus on developing and testing embedded code within their teams.

What does a Staff Embedded Software Engineer do?

A Staff Embedded Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software that runs on embedded systems—specialized computing devices found in products such as cars, medical devices, and industrial machines. They are responsible for writing code that interacts directly with hardware, optimizing performance, and ensuring reliability. In addition to hands-on development, staff-level engineers often mentor junior engineers, contribute to system architecture, and help set technical direction for projects. Their work is crucial in ensuring that embedded systems function safely and efficiently in their intended environments.
More about Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs
What states have the most Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs are:
Staff Embedded Software Engineer (Generalist) (C++)

Staff Embedded Software Engineer (Generalist) (C++)

Point One Navigation, Inc

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$154K - $203K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

About Point One Navigation:
Point One Navigation is on a mission to bridge the digital and physical worlds through precision location. Our Polaris™ RTK network and FusionEngine™ software deliver centimeter-level accuracy and high-confidence positioning for vehicles, robots, drones, and devices across industries. We're API-first, developer-focused, and pushing the boundaries of autonomy and automation.
The Role:
We're seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer (Generalist) who thrives at the intersection of software and hardware. You'll be a key contributor to our embedded platform, developing high-performance, real-time software that integrates a wide range of sensors and navigation technologies. This role is ideal for someone who can own complex technical challenges end-to-end - from early architecture to deployment in mission-critical systems.
What You'll Do:
  • Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of embedded C++ software for real-time sensor fusion and positioning systems
  • Architect robust systems that integrate GNSS receivers, inertial sensors, wheel odometry, cameras and other hardware in dynamic environments
  • Drive performance tuning and low-level optimizations across a variety of embedded platforms (ARM, microcontrollers, embedded Linux)
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to engineering best practices across the team
  • Own key parts of the embedded stack, from board bring-up and driver development to system-level debugging and performance analysis
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams - from hardware and firmware to cloud infrastructure and robotics customers - to deliver reliable end-to-end systems
  • Contribute to technical strategy, architecture discussions, and roadmap planning

Requirements:
  • 7+ years of professional experience developing embedded systems software
  • Proven ability to design and implement major software components, incorporating customer and internal requirements, assessing system-wide impact, and driving implementation and schedule through to testing
  • Expert in modern C++ (C++14 or later), with strong understanding of system-level programming, memory management, and concurrency
  • Experience with Python or similar for automation, scripting, debugging and other non-critical workloads
  • Deep experience with embedded Linux, RTOSes, and bare-metal systems
  • Proven ability to work close to hardware - board bring-up, drivers, timing-critical systems
  • Familiarity with common hardware interfaces: UART, SPI, I2C, CAN
  • Strong debugging skills and hands-on experience with tools like gdb, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes
  • BS/MS/PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience

Bonus Points For:
  • Experience in GNSS, state estimation, Kalman filtering, or inertial navigation
  • Working knowledge of positioning technologies and error sources (e.g., multipath, drift, bias)
  • Experience with safety-critical or highly available systems in automotive, robotics, or aerospace
  • Knowledge in IP based networking, especially as implemented in Linux based operating systems
Why Join Us:
  • Build the core infrastructure powering the next generation of autonomous systems
  • Work with a passionate, technically elite team solving real-world problems at scale
  • Competitive compensation package including equity and full benefits
  • Flexible, high-trust work environment (on-site or hybrid options available)

If this role sounds like a fit, we'd love to hear from you. Apply below and join us in shaping the future of precise location.